Friday July 25 Ag News - NE farmer joins NCGA Board - New CEO at CVA Coop - USDA to Reorganize - and more!

Nebraska Corn Congratulates tenBensel on His Election to the NCGA Corn Board

Last week, farmers from across the country attended the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress held in Washington, D.C. During this event, Nebraska corn farmer Jan tenBensel, was elected to NCGA’s Corn Board.

“I’m honored to join the National Corn Board, an organization I hold of great importance for myself and the future of agriculture,” said tenBensel. “I’ll be a champion for the corn industry and all of American agriculture as I serve our nation’s corn farmers. When I think of my children and their future, I serve for them and the next generation.”

tenBensel grows corn and soybeans with his wife and two children in Cambridge, Nebraska. He has extensive leadership experience on the local, state and national levels. He currently serves as a board member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, as Chair of the Ethanol Action Team with NCGA and the Nebraska Ethanol Board Chair.

"Nebraska continues to produce exceptional leaders, and we're thrilled to see Jan recognized to serve on the National Corn Board," said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director for NCB and NeCGA. "We're proud of our farmers who selflessly dedicate their time and expertise to advance the industry, and we congratulate Jan on this well-deserved honor."

The term for tenBensel will begin on Oct. 1, 2025, and he will serve for three years. The election took place on Wednesday, July 16 during NCGA’s 2025 Corn Congress. The event focuses on shaping policy, setting priorities and meeting with policy makers for the U.S. corn industry. Corn farmer delegates from across the country participated in the discussions and election.

tenBensel will join fellow Nebraskans Jason Lewis and Dan Nerud, serving on the 15-person Corn Board. 



CAP Webinar: Livestock insurance Basics Part 3: Umbrella Insurance
Jul. 31, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
With Shannon Sand, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability

Are you truly protected if something goes wrong on your operation? Standard farm insurance may not be enough. Join us for an informative webinar on umbrella insurance in agriculture also known as farm or ranch liability umbrella coverage and learn how this extra layer of protection can safeguard your livelihood. We’ll break down what umbrella insurance is, how it works, and why it’s a smart addition to your risk management plan. Whether you’re facing rising liability risks, growing your operation, or simply want peace of mind, this session will help you understand how to better protect your assets and your future.

Here's the link to register: https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C9N8aQ-pS4ah6IyQ3tKqmA 



McCarthy named New CVA President/CEO

Central Valley Ag (CVA), a leading agricultural cooperative, has entered a new chapter of leadership. Luke Carlson, the Chairman of the CVA Board, has formally announced Nic McCarthy as the organization's new president and Chief Executive Officer. This pivotal decision marks an exciting moment for the cooperative and its members across the region. 

McCarthy brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking mindset to his new role at Central Valley Ag. Known for this commitment to innovation and sustainability, he is expected to guide the cooperative through an era of growth and adaptation to the evolving agricultural industry. His appointment underscores CVA's commitment to addressing both the opportunities and challenges faced by its members while continuing to strengthen its position within the agricultural sector. 

In announcing the new leadership, Carlson expressed confidence in McCarthy's ability to lead CVA into the future. "Nic's remarkable expertise, coupled with his passion for agriculture and focus on our cooperative values, makes him the ideal person to drive our mission forward," said Carlson. He further highlighted the board's enthusiasm for the strategic direction McCarthy envisions for the organization. 

CVA has long been a cornerstone for farmers, fostering collaboration and providing essential resources to its members. McCarthy's leadership promises to build upon this foundation by enhancing member services, strengthening supply chains, and embracing technological advancements to meet the ever-changing demands of modern agriculture. 

McCarthy's appointment symbolizes a renewed commitment to innovation and growth for the cooperative. As he steps into this pivotal role, CVA members and stakeholders alike should be optimistic about the cooperative's future under his guidance. With McCarthy at the helm, the organization looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting agriculture across the region. 

This leadership change signals an exciting new chapter for CVA, reaffirming its dedication to serving the agricultural community with vision and purpose.



Smith: Australian Market Access Major Win for American Beef Producers

Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee's Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after U.S. and Australian officials announced Australia will lift restrictions on import of beef from the U.S.

"While Australia is a valuable trading partner, their long-standing restrictions on U.S. beef were neither right nor reciprocal. The removal of these unscientific and unfair barriers, while long overdue, sends a strong message regarding the safety and quality of American agriculture products. This progress shows what can be achieved when a president is fully engaged and willing to stand up for American farmers and ranchers. I thank President Trump and his entire administration for their work to address this matter."  



Commercial Red Meat Production Down 1 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.22 billion pounds in June, down 1 percent from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in June 2024.

Beef production, at 2.09 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.43 million head, down 4 percent from June 2024. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,408 pounds.

Veal production totaled 2.0 million pounds, 34 percent below June a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 9,700 head, down 39 percent from June 2024. The average live weight was up 27 pounds from last year, at 358 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.12 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.97 million head, up 1 percent from June 2024. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 286 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.6 million pounds, was up 12 percent from June 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 189,600 head, 7 percent above last year. The average live weight was 121 pounds, up 5 pounds from June a year ago.

By State           million lbs. - % June '24
Nebraska .......:     607.4    -      96       
Iowa ..............:     674.5    -      96       
Kansas ...........:     458.3    -      98       

January to June 2025 commercial red meat production was 26.7 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2024. Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 39 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 4 percent. 



NCBA Supports Withdrawal of Harmful Speed Limiter Rule

Thursday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) shared support for the withdrawal of the speed limiter rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), two agencies under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“America’s livestock haulers know how to safely navigate our nation’s roads and putting an artificial speed device in the truck with them was only going to create safety hazards, increase risk to drivers and travelers, and push livestock haulers out of their jobs,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Skye Krebs, an Oregon rancher. “As the holder of a Commercial Driver’s License myself, I know how much training and licensing occurs before a hauler gets behind the wheel. We have full faith in the safe practices of our livestock haulers and appreciate FMCSA and NHTSA standing with drivers by withdrawing this rule. NCBA is committed to supporting livestock haulers and protecting the safety of our roadways.”
 
NCBA has partnered with organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) to raise concerns with this proposed rule. NCBA has recognized that adding another piece of government-mandated technology to trucks will make them less prepared to adjust to road conditions while actually making the roads less safe. NCBA previously joined OOIDA in supporting the DRIVE Act to prevent this dangerous speed limiter mandate. NCBA thanks Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and the leadership of FMCSA and NHTSA for withdrawing this proposed rule.



Rollins Announces USDA Reorganization

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), refocusing its core operations to better align with its founding mission of supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry.

Over the last four years, USDA’s workforce grew by 8%, and employees’ salaries increased by 14.5% - including hiring thousands of employees with no sustainable way to pay them. This all occurred without any tangible increase in service to USDA’s core constituencies across the agricultural sector. USDA’s footprint in the National Capital Region (NCR) is underutilized and redundant, plagued by rampant overspending and decades of mismanagement and costly deferred maintenance. President Trump has made it clear government needs to be scrutinized, and after this thorough review of USDA, the results show a bloated, expensive, and unsustainable organization.

To be clear, all critical functions of the Department will continue uninterrupted. For example, we are at the height of fire season, and to date, have not only exceeded hiring goals, but have preserved the ability to continue to hire. Earlier this year, Secretary Rollins issued a Secretarial Memorandum exempting National Security and Public Safety positions from the federal hiring freeze. These 52 position classifications carry out functions that are critical to the safety and security of the American people, our national forests, and the inspection and safety of the Nation’s agriculture and food supply system. These positions will not be eliminated. However, employees may be subject to relocation.

“American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the Department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support. President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country,” said Secretary Rollins. “We will do so through a transparent and common-sense process that preserves USDA’s critical health and public safety services the American public relies on. We will do right by the great American people who we serve and with respect to the thousands of hardworking USDA employees who so nobly serve their country.”

The reorganization consists of four pillars:
    Ensure the size of USDA’s workforce aligns with available financial resources and agricultural priorities
    Bring USDA closer to its customers
    Eliminate management layers and bureaucracy
    Consolidate redundant support functions

To bring USDA closer to the people it serves while also providing a more affordable cost of living for USDA employees, USDA has developed a phased plan to relocate much of its Agency headquarters and NCR staff out of the Washington, D.C. area to five hub locations. The Department currently has approximately 4,600 employees within the National Capital Region (NCR). This region has one of the highest costs of living in the country, with a federal salary locality rate of 33.94%. In selecting its hub locations, USDA considered where existing concentrations of USDA employees are located and factored in the cost of living. Washington, D.C. will still hold functions for every mission area of USDA at the conclusion of this reorganization, but USDA expects no more than 2,000 employees will remain in the NCR.

USDA will vacate and return to the General Services Administration the South Building, Braddock Place, and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and revisit utilization and functions in the USDA Whitten Building, Yates Building, and the National Agricultural Library. The George Washington Carver Center will also be utilized until space optimization activities are completed. These buildings have a backlog of costly deferred maintenance and currently are occupied below the minimum set by law. For example, the South Building has approximately $1.3 billion in deferred maintenance and has an average daily occupancy of less than 1,900 individuals for a building that can house over 6,000 employees.

USDA’s five hub locations and current federal locality rates are:
    Raleigh, North Carolina (22.24%)
    Kansas City, Missouri (18.97%)
    Indianapolis, Indiana (18.15%)
    Fort Collins, Colorado (30.52%)
    Salt Lake City, Utah (17.06%)

This is only the first phase of a multi-month process. Over the next month and where applicable, USDA senior leadership will notify offices with more information on relocation to one of the regional hubs.

To make certain USDA can afford its workforce, this reorganization is another step of the Department’s process of reducing its workforce. Much of this reduction was through voluntary retirements and the Deferred Retirement Program (DRP), a completely voluntary tool. As of today, 15,364 individuals voluntarily elected deferred resignation.



EPA Issues Proposed Dicamba Registration for Public Comment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a proposed registration decision for low-volatility dicamba products for over-the-top use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. The draft includes new mitigation measures, such as prohibiting aerial application, requiring a 240-foot downwind buffer, and restricting applications when temperatures exceed 95°F.

The American Soybean Association is reviewing the proposal and appreciates EPA’s efforts to provide a path forward for dicamba use following the previous vacatur. ASA will continue engaging with EPA on behalf of soybean growers to ensure workable, science-based solutions. The public comment period is open through Aug. 22. 



ASA/WISHH Elects New Executive Committee

ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program elected its officers and committee members for the upcoming year at last week’s board meeting. Officers include Morey Hill (IA) as chair; Scott Gaffner (IL) as vice chair; Bob Haselwood (KS) as treasurer; and new to the WISHH executive committee is Jeff O’Connor (IL), who joins as secretary.

“This is an exciting time for WISHH,” said Executive Director Gena Perry. “As we continue to lead U.S. soy in new markets, I am grateful for the farmers who volunteer their time to lead the organization. We are also pleased to welcome Jeff Thompson (SD), Ryan Frieders (IL), and Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare (IL) as committee members this year.”

Perry also thanked Dawn Scheier (SD), Tim Bardole (IA), and Mark Read (IL) for their many years of service as they leave the committee this year.



Corn Ranks Number One in Pet Food Ingredients

Corn has officially claimed the top spot as the most-used plant-based ingredient in U.S. pet food, according to a recent report released by the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER). The 2024 Pet Food Ingredient Analysis, which was released in March, underscores corn’s critical role in one of agriculture’s most dynamic markets.

The independent study, which National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) helped support, analyzed more than 600 ingredients used in commercial dog and cat food. Among them, corn ranked as the No. 1 plant-based ingredient, valued for its versatility, digestibility and nutrient density.
 
Why Corn Matters in Pet Food
Corn isn’t just filler. It’s a functional, high-quality ingredient with clear benefits for pets, including:
    Easily digestible carbohydrates – provide energy for active dogs and cats
    Essential amino acids – support muscle development and maintenance
    Natural fiber – promotes healthy digestion
    Rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and lutein – support overall system health
    Protein and texture – corn gluten meal and bran provide concentrated protein and contribute to stool quality

This nutritional profile makes corn a trusted choice for pet food formulators aiming to deliver complete and balanced diets.
 
By the Numbers
    $51.7 billion in U.S. pet food sales (2024); 9.8 million tons of pet food produced
    States like Missouri, Iowa and Kansas saw over $1 billion each in ingredient purchases
    Corn is the leading ingredient by value in the Farm of Mill-Based products category at $334 million; corn protein meal follows at $291 million
    $13.2 billion spent on farm-grown ingredients

A Growing Opportunity for Corn Growers
With sustainability in focus, corn’s ability to contribute both primary ingredients and valuable co-products like corn gluten meal aligns with consumer and industry demand for more environmentally responsible options.

NCGA’s support of this research reinforces corn’s broad market relevance beyond feed and fuel. As the pet food sector continues to grow, corn farmers are well-positioned to meet the need for nutritious, high-performance ingredients.



ACE Congratulates Aaron Szabo on Senate Confirmation to Head EPA Office of Air and Radiation

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today congratulates Aaron Szabo on his Senate confirmation as Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Air and Radiation. ACE CEO Brian Jennings issued the following statement in response:

"We congratulate Aaron Szabo on his confirmation as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation at a pivotal time for the Renewable Fuel Standard. We look forward to working with Mr. Szabo to swiftly finalize strong, multi-year renewable fuel blending targets and ensure that the 2026 and 2027 volumes remain whole and consistent with the law. We also appreciate his time with our DC Fly-In group this past March, a positive sign EPA is engaged on important biofuel issues. Ethanol remains a critical tool for strengthening U.S. energy security, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and supporting farmers."



RFA Congratulates Aaron Szabo on Senate Confirmation
    
The Renewable Fuels Association today congratulated Aaron Szabo on his Senate confirmation to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). Among its responsibilities, the OAR administers the Clean Air Act, which includes oversight of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a critical part of the U.S. ethanol industry’s success.

The following is a statement from RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper:
“We thank the Senate for confirming Aaron Szabo to serve as the assistant administrator for the OAR at this important moment for the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard. RFA offers its congratulations to Mr. Szabo and we look forward to working with him to ensure that the administration’s proposal for strong 2026-2027 renewable fuel volumes is quickly finalized. We are confident that both EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Mr. Szabo understand the crucial role American-made renewable fuels like ethanol play in bolstering U.S. energy independence, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and strengthening the rural economy.”



Stine® releases 2026 Corn and Soybean Product Guide to help farmers make more profitable decisions

Stine® Seed Company’s new Corn and Soybean Product Guide is all about value. With Stine, farmers get reliable, high-yielding products backed by a partnership they can trust. A commitment to innovation, independence and integrity is reflected in every decision we make and every bag of seed we deliver. The 2026 Corn and Soybean Product Guide offers solutions that help maximize success and minimize risk.

“Once again, Stine’s breeding programs are delivering new, advanced genetics to our corn and soybean offerings in 2026. Why? To help farmers make money,” says Myron Stine, company president. “The guide includes Stine’s latest high-performance corn and soybean products, plus the agronomic insights farmers need to get the most out of every acre.”

2026 corn lineup: Pushing yield limits with MX Series Corn
Leading the 2026 corn offerings is Stine MX Series Corn, which features the highest-performing hybrids available. These lines are built from Stine’s newest corn genetics and optimized for return on investment, ensuring farmers get more out of every acre.

Stine’s exclusive genetics, unmatched performance and comprehensive trait packages are designed for growers who want to push yield limits while locking in consistent agronomic performance.

“We’ve seen incredible results from our MX Series Corn hybrids, and we’re excited to offer them as part of our most advanced corn lineup ever,” Stine says. “These hybrids are built to thrive in a wide range of environments and deliver results for our customers year in and year out.”

Stine also offers a number of traited and conventional corn options for the 2026 planting season.

Expanded soybean solutions: Tackling tough weeds and flexibility under pressure
For soybean growers, Stine is once again leading the industry with the most extensive lineup of Enlist E3® soybeans, delivering flexibility and performance. With a wide variety of maturities and exceptional weed control, Stine’s Enlist E3 offerings help farmers stay ahead of tough weed challenges while maintaining high yields.

The 2026 guide also features Stine XtendFlex® soybeans, with exceptional yields even under pressure, and elite conventional soybeans, which continue to outperform without traits while still delivering high-yield potential.

“We understand the pressures that growers face, and we’ve built these products to meet those challenges head-on,” Stine says. “From Enlist E3 to XtendFlex and conventional soybeans, we have more options to help farmers thrive, no matter what their specific needs are.”

At Stine, real value is about performance, flexibility and relationships that last. With a superior breeding program and complete independence in decision-making, Stine continues to deliver unsurpassed, high-yielding products designed to reduce risk and boost profitability.

“Real value is earned,” Stine says. “Being farmers ourselves, we know what’s at stake with every pass in the field. That’s why we invest in the industry’s most extensive breeding program and move quickly to bring proven products to market.”

Explore the 2026 Corn and Soybean Product Guide
The 2026 Product Guide is available online at StineSeed.com, or growers can contact their local Stine sales representative for personalized agronomic insights and expert guidance. Stine remains committed to providing more yield, more support and more opportunities for farmers to thrive in the coming season.